A rare offering, a 15-piece, all-female orchestra
matched up with two classy vocalists. Diva presents
A Swingin’ Life (MCG Jazz, 2014).

A product of the Manchester Craftsman’s Guild, the album
offers 11 songs, recorded in two sessions. “Nothin’” and
“All My Tomorrows” were recorded by MCG Jazz at the
Guild in Pittsburgh. Appearing only on those are
Karoline Strassmayer and Kristy Norter, alto saxophone;
Anat Cohen, clarinet and tenor saxophone; Scheila
Gonzalez, tenor saxophone; Leigh Pilzer, baritone
saxophone; Liesl Whitaker, lead trumpet; Barbara Laronga,
trumpet; Lori Stuntz, trombone; and Chihiro Yamanaka,
piano.

The swing starts right off the bat with track one, “What
the World Needs Now Is Love.” Arranged by Ellen Rowe,
this big band rendition of the song popularized by
Dionne Warwick features a sizzling tenor sax solo by
Reichman. The horn section is in full blast for the main
body.

Pilzer arranged the dazzling rendition of “Pennies from
Heaven.” All pieces stand out in one way or another.
Ueda gets into a groove during her bass solo. The track
also features Parrott.

Wilson lends her voice to “All My Tomorrows” and “All of
Me.” Shaw steps in for “Blues Medley (Goin’ to Chicago
Blues, Kansas City, Every Day I Have the Blues),”
“Blackberry Winter” and “Wonder Why.”

Diva has released more than a dozen albums. The
inspiration for the band came from Stanley Kay, a
one-time manager and relief drummer for Buddy Rich.
After conducting a band that featured Maricle, Kay
picked up on her talent and sought other women who could
perform at the same level. The foundation was laid in
1992. Diva has toured the United States and Europe, with
performances as such prestigious venues as John F.
Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts, Apollo Theater
in New York, and the Playboy Jazz Festival at the
Hollywood Bowl.